Connector for the spinning line and jerk line of oil well rigs



p i 7, 1954 1-, w. STRINGFELLOW 2,676,789

. CONNECTOR FOR THE SPINNING LINE AND JERK'LINE OF OIL WELL RIGS FiledMarch 20,1953

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37 II x [9 6 b I I 13 col lea 3 I Thomas W. .SfringfeI/aw INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 27, 1954 CONNECTOR FOR THE SPINNING LINE AND JERK LINE OFOIL WELL RIGS Thomas W. Stringfellow, Yoakum, Tex. Application March 20,1953, Serial N 0. 343,760

1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to improvements in connectors for the spinning lineand jerk line used in oil well rigs for screwing up a string of pipesections for lowering into an oil well.

By way of premise, in screwing pipe sections into a string in an oilwell rig, the sections are attached, one at a time, at the upper end ofthe string by a spinning line wound around the same and a cathead of thedraw works, with the spinning line manually wrapped around the sectionand cathead and drawn taut around the same by an operator, and thesections are screwed tight in place by a tongs operated by a jerk lineconnected to the spinning line and which is tightened up by the catheadwith the spinning line released from the section being tightened. Theconventional means for connecting such lines is usually a swivel, orsimilar device which quickly wears out and is diflicult to attach.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a strong, durableconnector for easily and quickly connecting the jerk line to a spinningline and disconnecting the same therefrom, and which eliminates swivelsthat quickly wear out, and is very simply constructed and consequentlyinexpensive to manufacture.

Other and subordinate objects, within the purview of my invention,together with the precise nature of my improvements will be readilyunderstood when the succeeding description and claim are read withreference to the drawing accompanying and forming part of thisspecification.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in plan, partly in section, illustratingmy improved connector connecting the jerk line to the spinning line withthe spinning line in use;

Figure 2 is a similar view with the jerk line in use and the spinningline released from the upper pipe section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section taken on the line3-3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged exploded view in perspective of the parts of theconnector.

Referring by numerals to the drawing, in the embodiment of the inventionillustrated therein, the numeral designates the spinning line adapted tobe extended between the upper pipe section 3 and the cathead 5 of thedraw works I, and comprising sections 9, Iii, preferably of cable forfriction gripping, adapted to be manually wound around said section 3and cathead 5 for straight line pull by the cathead 5 to spin or turnthe section 3 into the string, not shown, supported in the well, notshown, by the rotary vol table H on the deck IS. The numeral I5designates the tongs used for tightening the upper section 3, and whichduring the spinning operation is usually disposed on the deck l3, withineasy reach, while connected to a jerk line presently described.

The connector of my invention comprises a generally triangular, threepoint coupler IQ for three lengths of link chain 2|, 23, 25, the chains2|, 23 being interposed in the spinning line I and the chain 25 formingthe jerk line connected to the tongs E5. The coupler l9 comprises a bodyplate 21 having triangularly arranged, flattened, lateral studs 29, 3|,33 on one side thereof over which end links 35, 31, 39 of the chains 2|,23, 25 are fitted against turning on said studs. A chain retaining plate4| is opposed to the body plate 21 with elongated triangularly arrangedslots 43. 45, 47 therein fitting over the studs 29, 3|, 33 to retain thelinks 35, 31, 39 on the studs 29, 3|, 33, and which is spaced from saidplate 2'! and slightly from the links 35, 31, 39 by a central, fiat topboss 49 on the body plate 2? on the same sid as said studs which aregrouped around said boss and spaced equidistantly therefrom. The bodyand retaining plates 2?, 4| are detachably secured together with theretaining plate 4| clamped against the boss 49 by an Allen head bolt 5|inserted through a transverse bore 53 in the body plate 2! and boss 49,said bolt being threaded into a central bore 55 in the'retaining plate4| with th bolt head 51 countersunk in a socket 59 in the body plate 21.It will be noted, that the retaining plate 4| and body plate 21 retainthe end links 35, 31, 39 between said plates, which is to say, in thecoupler l9 flatwise between said plates so that end links cannot twistrelative to the coupler.

As will be manifest, the links of chain 2|, 23 are interposed in thespinning line to form part thereof and because of their linkconstruction and the end links thereof being retained between the plates27, 4| flatwise relative thereto, and also because the coupler forms arigid connection between said and links, there is less tendency for thespinning line to twist under straight line pull by the cathead 5 duringthe spinning operation. The chains 2|, 25 may be as long as may be foundfeasible. The chains 2|, 25 reduce the tendency of the spinning line Iand jerk line 25 to twist for the same reason set forth relative to thechain, or links of chains 2|, 23. As will also be seen, the chains 2|,23, 25 and the coupler l9 provide a very simple means for easily andquickly connecting a spinning line and jerk line together, and fordisconnecting the same if required.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to impart a clearunderstanding of my invention, without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modificationwithout departing from the inventive. concept, andrightishereinrreserved. to such modifications. as efall withiin thescope of: the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A spinning and jerk line connector comprisingv link chains interposed inthPspinniriggliiieg;and? a link chain interposed in the jerk'liner saidchains having end links, and aechainvcouplem comprising a pair ofopposed substantially triangular plates, one having triangularlyarranged lateral flattened studs thereon over which said end links arefitted against turning thereon, the other plate having triangularlyarranged slots fitting over said studs and retaining said end linksflatwise relative toboth plates, and means associated with said plates.,.detaehably, securing the sametogether; in spacedi relation;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NameDate Kennon Aug. 20, 1940 Jensen Mar. 19, 1946

